Pinch weld mod extreme

I’m looking to get some spacers because I’m rubbing my frame. I had some installed before but took them back off because I rubbed the cab. I also had wider mud tires on then. Now I have toyo ATs so I’m hoping I have a better chance now. I’ve already done the pinch weld mod but I’m still skeptical about them rubbing. Has anyone had better luck by hammering even more or even cutting? I’ve read that I should stay away from adjusting my alignment and camber/caster yada yada. I’m not gonna get new rims or tires to accommodate this so that’s out of the question. Thanks

 

285/70/17

 

Who says to avoid adjusting your caster? That's the best way to clear larger tires. Pinch weld mod is usually necessary too but upping your caster to 3 or more degrees pushes the tire forward and helps clear.

I used to rub the pinch weld bad even after cutting it, got my caster upped to 3.5° and cleared it easily.

Without aftermarket UCAs though you probably won't get that much caster, fyi

 

That’s good to hear. Luckily I have SPCs UCAs tho so I should be good?

 

Yeah that's what I have too. You get some additional caster with those just from installing them, and an alignment shop should be able to adjust your lowers for additional caster to around 3 degrees.

I wouldn't adjust the SPC ball joint unless it's needed

 

Gotta cut out your firewall, reweld in a filler plate and seal it on both sides if you dont want any rub on any of the inner fender. I run 285/75/17 with 0 offset and dont rub at full bump and full lock. I only have a 2 inch lift running these tires with no rub of course and no caster adjustments everything is stock angles

 

This looks extreme, I’ve not seen anyone go this far with the pinch weld and running 285s.

 

They're 34.5 inch tall tires and 0 offset. I like being able to be at full bump/a little past and at full lock and never rub. Take out your strut jack the tire up under the control arm until that side is being lifted and I bet most people rub hard enough that they're wheel would not spin without serious damage. But I do actually do some stupid trails with my truck so I guess I'm not the majority of people who do forest roads or just relaxing trails. Dont get me wrong thoug I do those relaxing trails when I just want to get put as well.

 

oh ok, so you’re running a 295/75/17?

 

No the cooper discoverer xlt measures in at 34.5 inches due to tread depth and load rating. At 38 psi its does measure to 34.5 inches. It's a 285/75/17 on a 7 inch rim so that also is helping that depth of sidewall stay upright.

 

Cut it out and tub it, or mess with the alignment as others have suggested. I tried to beat to fit 37s and it made my life a living hell when I eventually had to cut everything out to fit them.

 

When I was running 255/85/16 I was able to fit them just with some sledge hammer work, but after I went up to the 315s then I definitely needed to tub.

 

Got pictures of them installed?

 

My front struts are worn. I ordered king extended travel custom valved coilovers 15 weeks ago so the front end will come up about an inch to level it out

 

So I plan on installing some spacers myself.. my question is, can I get away with just adjusting the caster on my SPC UCAs so my tires clear the cab without touching the LCA caster adjustment? If not, can I at least do that so I can drive to the shop to get the full alignment?

 

A good alignment will help you get where you need to be before doing anything else.

This was mentioned in the first reply last month.

 

I think that was for a different question. I’m asking if it’s ok to adjust my SPCs myself for the sake of getting to the shop without rubbing badly So that the shop can do the LCAs too. Or do UCAs and LCAs absolutely need to be done at the SAME time?

 

You can, considering it'd cost you a lot less to do yourself (can only imagine what a shop would add for labor on that).

Position C, would be my guess, to give that additional degree of caster.

Others will chime in with better advice.

@eon_blue

 

Sounds good to me. Maybe this’ll help.